The Princess Grace Dance Academy: the petits rats of Monaco

The Princess Grace Academy trains professional dancers to be part of major international companies tomorrow.

The Academy opened in 1975 at the Villa “Casa Mia”. Inspired by the Russian ballet, Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III wished to create a premier dance school, laying the groundwork for the establishment of a company. The Academy was first directed by the Russian dancer Marika Besobrasova, who, until the age of 92, taught future big names in dance, such as François Klaus, a principal dancer at John Neumeier. The Academy has welcomed many prominent figures in ballet; Rudolf Nureyev came to work there regularly, as did Eva Evdokimova, Marcia Haydée and Yoko Morishita. Luca Masala became the Academy’s new director in 2009.

Guided by the Ballets de Monte-Carlo, the Academy trains professional dancers to be part of major international companies tomorrow. Its boarding school enables students of all nationalities to attend. The Academy offers a multidisciplinary curriculum of dance classes (classical, contemporary, Pilates, and corps de ballet), artistic training, as well as a school education. Students are taught the essential qualities needed in this profession: discipline, respect for the profession, the empowerment of the choreographic artist, a curiosity for the world of art, and the development of their passion.

The annual Princess Grace Academy Gala at the Ballets de Monte-Carlo allows students to perform in front of an audience. Graduates of the Academy take their final bows as students at the Salle Garnier before joining an international company. It is a showcase for the savoir-faire of these young dancers, who shine as brilliantly in traditional dance steps like manèges, grand jetés and fouettés as they do in contemporary choreographies that express other talents.

Find out more: https://www.balletsdemontecarlo.com/fr/academie-princesse-grace/formations